College

I drove, alone, my ’01 Chevy Tahoe containing all of my college freshman daughter’s belongings some 350 miles on Tuesday to her new home and then back, last night. I had 5 hours, both ways, to be alone in my rig thinking about what my eldest child was about to begin. A friend used the term “bittersweet,” and I think that best describes the experience. To keep the fact that she was moving on with her life, it was the little stuff that kept me best occupied.

I passed by sign after sign advertising the Adult Novelty Store on the horizon. I wondered just how novel could one of their products be? I mean, there really isn’t that much to work with, is there? And, it bugs me that they use the word novelty, as I can remember “Frozen Novelties” being offered at the old baseball stadium growing up. And, if the folks at the Adult Novelty Store would use their wits, they could easily offer frozen treats with only adding 1 more word…..Frozen and Adult Novelty Store. I mean, add a cooler, for God’s sake and some Push Up Sticks and a Klondike Bar!

I passed an exit for New Boston. I wondered, “What did they do with the Old Boston?”

Don Meredith Museum in Mount Vernon, Texas. (Note to self; add on “To Do” list, Don Meredith Museum).

The Audie Murphy Museum in Greenville, Texas…….as far as actors go, he was one hell of a soldier. Speaking of Greenville, not too long ago their town motto was “Home of the blackest dirt and whitest people.” Other than Mary’s of Puddin’ Hill’s (home of the world famous fruit cake—see, they even admit that there is only one and it is shipped all over the place being re-gifted time and time again), I got no reason to stop.

Passed the home of J-B Weld, "The Finest Cold Weld in the World." I bought some of that crap, more than once (not sure, it’s in the aisle of the check out at Home Depot), most likely as a true impulse purchase. Every time that I ever tried to use it, the tube was hard as a brick batt. The crap was useless. I am going to take those hard-assed tubes with me the next time I go south and west and throw them out the damned window into their front yard!

I learned 2 things, as far as fast-food is concerned…….splurge for the sirloin burger at Jack in the Box. It is the BOMB! And, they don’t start cooking until you’ve ordered!!! And, the DQ in Hooks, Texas is a must-top, too. They rock! Got a Belt Buster and an order of tots.

I was amazed at how many barbeque joints I passed. All of them claiming to be the “World’s Best” or “Best in Texas.” Ramage Farms right at the exit off of I-30 West made that claim. Big old place with “Texas Souvenirs” and jams and jellies……but, according to folks at the dorm, it REALLY might be the best in Texas! (Note to self: add on “To Do” list, Ramage Farms Barbeque).

I suppose every squatter back in their day named every little spring, creek, or drainage ditch after themselves.
Bob Field Creek.
Dick Lawrence Bayou
Bob Cooper Lake
Lindy Lilly Silver Lake

Living in Little Rock, we are squarely in the middle of 2 worlds when it comes to barbeque. Pork rules to the East in Memphis and beef in Texas. So, I was clearly confused as I got closer and closer to Rockwall, Texas with all of the signage for Soul Man Barbeque. Not crazy about the name, because it wasn’t Bubba’s or Smokey somebody…..but, Soul Man? Finally, as I topped the hill and could see the Big D in the distance, there it was. A pink building with a pig wearing sunglasses, Soul Man Barbeque. Idiot. He’s completely lost the Jewish crowd in Rockwall.

Honked at a couple of bovines. The only one to acknowledge me was a long horn that turned and glanced. I’m bettin’ he’s from New York or something like that. He knows a good horn when he both sees or hears one!

I saw a bunch of signs for “Boarding Pets.” I was always under the impression that room-and-board was exactly what the first part says, room, and that board meant the food given you by the landlord. So, aren’t these places that advertise “boarding of pets” actually more rooming them? Geez, the questions, THE QUESTIONS!

I am amazed at the nimrods who insist on driving in the left hand lane of the freeway in spite of traveling at a rate 10 miles under the speed limit. Are they stupid, rebellious, ignorant, clueless…what?!?! Not to speak of the moron that hangs on your left rear bumper, not passing, not slowing, but keeping you from coming over as you near the ass end of one of those huge, over-loaded big rigs!!!!

This pleased me……saw very few McCain or Obama campaign stickers. But, when I did, it was more than one on the back of a Hyundai.

Chevy Tahoes are to die for. My ’01 clicked over 148,000 miles on the trip and I passed 100 to 1 more than passed me. Even saw the speedometer push 95 as I tried to escape the nimrods and morons as I tried to pull away from the Dallas traffic in Rockwall.

My youngest daughter gave me her old iPod and I loaded it with songs off of my own CD’s. I love iTunes, but have yet to pay for, nor download, a single song. After listening, I note the following:
The song I played the loudest: Sympathy for the Devil.
Goofiest lyrics: Waiting on the World to Change.
Band that had me moving the most in my seat: J Geils (NO band tops their ability to get you hopping).
Oddest Lyrics: Any song written and performed by Donald Fagen of Steely Dan….hands down.
Singer we don’t listen to enough: Jonny Lang
He ain’t God musician: But, Eric Clapton has to be the closest thing to it. Holds up to anyone, anytime.
Best post-Beatles breakup song by an ex-Beatle: Venus and Mars/Rock Show (Beatle-esque beginning and funky lyrics, then rocking out!)
The Best Current Rock Band: Train, without a doubt. Great music, cool enough lyrics. Rock on.

Well, I’m done.